Star of Earendil and the star in FOTR - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Tar Elenion · 08-10-2003, 10:21 AM

I think what Nils is attempting to point out is that both 'myths' are compatible within their respective places within the Legendarium. The idea of a (so-called) 'Round-Earth' Mythology is not a 'late' (e.g. the version of the Ainulindale termed 'C*' from ca. 1946) or abandoned idea. The LotR itself maintains a tradition of a Sun and Moon that existed long before Fingolfin set foot in Beleriand (see Gimli's song about Durin in Moria, Galadriel's 'I Sang of Leaves', and, arguably, the narrative comment about the Elf-children and their first dawn in the deeps of time at the end of the Uruk-hai chapter in TT).
In fact most (if not all) post LotR texts contain elements of a 'Round-Earth' mythology. Even the Akallabeth _proper_ (not the addendum) is not explicitly 'flat-earth', and is, perhaps, implicitly round-earth (e.g. attributing to Sauron the teachings that men may sail to the ends of the lands and seas beyond which is the Ancient Darkness (compare to the Drowning of Anadune texts which are more explicit) or from where the Numenoreans might be able to see Tol Eressea).

[ August 10, 2003: Message edited by: Tar Elenion ]

[ August 10, 2003: Message edited by: Tar Elenion ]

08-10-2003, 10:21 AM	#24
Tar Elenion Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 369	I think what Nils is attempting to point out is that both 'myths' are compatible within their respective places within the Legendarium. The idea of a (so-called) 'Round-Earth' Mythology is not a 'late' (e.g. the version of the Ainulindale termed 'C*' from ca. 1946) or abandoned idea. The LotR itself maintains a tradition of a Sun and Moon that existed long before Fingolfin set foot in Beleriand (see Gimli's song about Durin in Moria, Galadriel's 'I Sang of Leaves', and, arguably, the narrative comment about the Elf-children and their first dawn in the deeps of time at the end of the Uruk-hai chapter in TT). In fact most (if not all) post LotR texts contain elements of a 'Round-Earth' mythology. Even the Akallabeth _proper_ (not the addendum) is not explicitly 'flat-earth', and is, perhaps, implicitly round-earth (e.g. attributing to Sauron the teachings that men may sail to the ends of the lands and seas beyond which is the Ancient Darkness (compare to the Drowning of Anadune texts which are more explicit) or from where the Numenoreans might be able to see Tol Eressea). [ August 10, 2003: Message edited by: Tar Elenion ] [ August 10, 2003: Message edited by: Tar Elenion ] __________________ Tar-Elenion